Chapter Text
The wind under your wings does most of the work as you glide through the air in the direction of your home. Spring was just warming up and you were getting back into the groove of flying again. So even though you were happy, your body felt exhausted from flying from flower to flower most of the day.
You notice a few of your nocturnal neighbors exiting their homes, most likely having woken up not that long ago. Some of them looked familiar as you had seen them before on days you had also stayed out later than usual. The ones who recognized you waved as you passed by.
Dusk was quickly fading, but with the skies clear you weren’t too worried about not being able to navigate your way back, however, you picked up your pace anyways.
Before you knew it, the soft light off the moon began to cascade over the forest floor. Naturally, your eyes drift towards a group of flowers you had flown by many times but had never seen bloom.
When you realize the petals of the flowers are unraveled, you don’t give a second thought before flying towards the funnel shaped flower. You weren’t that far from home anyways.
The moment your feet land on the edge of the curled petals, you're hit by the rich fragrance of the flower.
You already drank a decent amount today but what’s the harm in a night time “snack”. You could also take some nectar back with you. Who knew when you would get to see this flower bloom again?
You carefully crawl head first into the flower holding your arms out to the sides to prevent yourself from falling completely in. Using your bottom right arm, you grab one of your empty canisters at your hip to gather some of the flower’s nectar..
After you've had your fill and saved some to take home, you pull yourself out. Your eyes widen slightly when you realize how much darker it’s gotten. And now that you were too full, you felt even more sluggish.
While you contemplate if you could find a flower nearby to sleep in the petals of, the shadow of something above moves past you.
You flinch and shuffle a back into the petals.
What was that?
You sit in the flower for a minute before moving out to peak out behind it. Although you were curious, this could obviously be something dangerous.
Your eyes search the area until it lands on a bug standing on a flower similar to yours. You had seen moths before albeit rarely as most were nocturnal, but this was the first you'd seen up close.
They were somewhat alike to yourself--four arms, two legs, similar wings--but they were devoid of any bright colors and looked much more...fluffy. Their antennae was much bigger than any butterfly you'd ever seen too.
The intensity of your stare must have been enough to be tangible because the moth’s gaze turns directly towards you.
Their eyes quite literally glowed and you struggle to look away.
They didn't look hostile but that didn't stop you from hiding within the flower again. Staring at others wasn't exactly polite no matter how districting you found them.
You wait a couple seconds before peeking again. Part of you wanted to leave but your more curious one was winning over. It’s not like you could make a quick escape with your limited vision anyway.
It looked like they were going to gather nectar too.
"Isn’t it late for butterflies to be out?"
The sudden noise almost made you jump. His gaze was still on the flower he was on, but he must have been talking to you.
He was right, you shouldn’t be out here. But there’s all sorts of things that snacked on butterflies out here that you wouldn’t notice until it was too late. Along with that, your curiosity wasn’t sated yet.
Realizing there was no point hiding anymore, you jump down from your flower, using your wings to soften your fall, and walk towards the moth.
He continues gathering nectar, filling the multiple canisters he had, but still acknowledges you. “Is there something you need?”
“Well I was interested in this one flower and kind of got distracted and didn’t realize how late it had gotten. I can’t really leave since i can’t exactly see very clearly in the dark so I might as well say hi, right?” You realize how long winded that was the moment all the words are out of your mouth.
“Hello...” He stares intently, making you want to squirm. “Do you want me to help you back to your home?”
You shrug. “I could probably just hang out in one of the flowers.” It wouldn’t be the first time you’ve done that--not through the whole night though.
“That sounds like a terrible idea.” You raise your brows, not sure how to respond. He finishes up and lands gracefully in front of you. “I’ll lead you home.”
Being offered help by a bug you just met was….nice but a little strange. You couldn't think of any benefit he would get from this though. However, it’s not like you wanted to sleep outside so what would be the harm in agreeing. It didn’t sound like he was leaving room for you to actually decide anyway.
The trip was mostly quiet except for when you needed to describe how to get to your home.
When you're finally safely in front of your alcove, thanks to your temporary guide, you can’t help but feel relief. Following the moth through the foliage was a strain on your eyes and you thought you would lose him at times.
“Thanks a bunch. Sorry for taking up your time though.” You remove the canister you had attached to yourself and hold it out to him reluctantly.
He shakes his head. “It wasn't much trouble. It was actually pretty close by.”
You grin, happy that you would get to keep your treat. “Well thanks again…?” you trail off hoping he’ll finish your statement.
“Bruno.”
You repeat his name before giving yours.
“Hopefully, I’ll see you around!”
Once you say your goodbye, he slightly nods his head at you and takes off.
----
“Did you stay out late on purpose?” Bruno asks. He didn’t sound upset though.
You smile at the moth. “Well I just ran out of that night flower’s nectar and I decided why not just stay and catch two gnats.”
“What exactly was the 2nd gnat?”
You let out a hesitant laugh. “...Don't make me say it outloud.”
His brows furrow and he looks confused, so you force yourself to speak.
You sigh, “I...wanted to see you.” It was the truth but saying it outloud sounded too intense for the situation. Fortunately, Bruno didn’t seem to take it the wrong way.
“Datura.”
“Huh?”
“That’s what the night flower’s called.”
You hum. Interesting name.
“How do you know I'd even come here tonight?” Bruno asks.
“I didn't, but it’s a good thing that you did though cause I would have had to sleep out here.”
Bruno’s impassive expression changes to something a little more exasperated. “Please don’t do that again.”
You shake your head. “As long as I keep running out of nectar from the flowers around here I’m going to have to come back.”
“What if I just drop some off to you?”
You hum to yourself. That would be a much safer option but--. “I don’t really want to put more work on you though.”
“You're putting work on me regardless since I’ll have to lead you back home everytime you show up here.” The moth’s face didn’t say a lot but you had a feeling that you were tiring him out.
You smile a bit awkward, but you really weren’t about to give up this nectar so you needed a way to make up for Bruno’s troubles.
A light flickers above your head figuratively. “Are there any day flowers in particular that you’d want nectar from?”
And with that you and Bruno decide to start trading.
Around dusk, Bruno would show up at your front step with containers of nectar from various night flowers but, most importantly, your Datura. You’d trade, speak for a bit, and he’d head off to do his nightly business.
-----
“He doesn't eat butterflies right?” Abilene’s frown deepens. “ You wouldn't befriend someone who eats grasshoppers right?"
You roll your eyes at how high strung your friend was being.
The weather was extra nice today, so the both of you were enjoying drinks and snacks outside of Abilene's home together. It was the first time this Spring you had gotten to do this with them, and you were looking forward to all the future times you’d be able to too.
You place your drink down on the table you were sitting at. “Moths don’t eat other bugs. Well actually, I’m not completely sure. But he would have eaten me by now so you're worrying over nothing!”
Your friend shakes their head. “That just makes me more worried! Especially since you love getting into trouble.”
“It’s not like that this time I swear. Bruno’s harmless and we only really interact to trade nectar anyways. Just think of it as me accomplishing two things at once.
“More like quenching your thirst in two ways.”
You almost choke on your drink but gather yourself. “It’s nothing like that.”
They smirk, “But weren't you going on about his appearance 5 minutes ago?”
“Haven’t you ever appreciated beauty casually?”
“Sure but that was a pretty long appreciation.”
You stick your tongue out at your friend. Maybe you had a tiny crush but it was a momentary thing--the type you would get because you barely knew the person, so you were expecting it to fade away pretty quickly.
“But seriously, I might need to check out this moth for myself. I don't want any pests getting close again.”
You look down into the drink between your hands. “He’s most likely not a bad person. I feel like he's not bad at least…”
You wanted this feeling to be right, but there was always the tiny doubt you felt towards others. Abilene was the exception, but you’d known them since you were just a caterpillar.
Your friend frowns, “Sorry I didn’t mean to make you doubtful. I shouldn't coddle you like this but please don’t go getting into any danger okay? I don’t think my heart can take it…”
“Promise.” You cross an ‘X’ across your heart then crack a smile, "But If I do die you can have my giant cotton daybed to make up for it."
“….Tempting, but you can't use that to let me let you be reckless!”
"Dammit."
“I'm going to go get more snacks from inside. Do you want me to mix you more tea?”
“Yes please! I think you might be better at mixing my drinks than me at this point….”
“Cause whenever you come over you drink so much! I don’t know how you’re even capable of consuming that much liquid, especially with nectar in it.” They stick their tongue out in disgust.
"And I can't believe you only drink water!"
They shrug and walk into their home leaving you to wait patiently at the table.
Your mind unsurprisingly drifts to Bruno. Maybe moths like nectar as much as butterflies.